Beehaven Rest Home - Closure Notices Issued

MEDIA RELEASE

15 July 2008

Beehaven Rest Home - Closure Notices Issued

The Ministry of Health’s quality and safety manager, Rose Wall, last night served Cessation and Closure Orders on Belhaven Rest Home, and a Cessation Order on the nurse manager of Belhaven Rest Home.

“In the interests of public safety, we felt it necessary to take these steps.  As our investigation has progressed, we have become increasingly concerned about the situation at Belhaven.  

“Closing a healthcare facility and issuing a cessation order against the nurse manager is a serious decision, and one that has not been taken lightly,” Rose Wall said.

All orders take effect from the close of business this Friday, 18 July 2008.

·        A Closure Order has been issued against Belhaven Limited, trading as Belhaven Rest Home.  This means the premises in Epsom cannot operate as a rest home after Friday 18 July.

·        A Cessation Order means Belhaven Limited cannot provide any health services at any location after Friday 18 July.

·        A separate Cessation Order has been served on the nurse manager of Belhaven Rest Home, to prevent her providing health services after Friday 18 July.  This means she cannot practice as a nurse, caregiver, or be involved in the management of any health organisation providing health services.

The nurse manager, who is a registered nurse, has also been reported to the Nursing Council for investigation.

Rose Wall said the Ministry of Health’s investigation was initiated on 27 June 2008, after one incident, but during the course of the investigation it became clear the rest home was not meeting the required standards to provide an appropriate environment and safe care for the residents.

“Our investigation showed that residents’ rights had been breached and there were incidents of abuse.  There were systemic failures which provided an environment in which such incidents were able to occur.

Rose Wall said failures included a lack of adequate clinical governance; a lack of hands on support, guidance and supervision for staff; a lack of evidence to show that processes and systems were in place to ensure the safe delivery of services and manage risks; a lack of evidence of adequate assessment, planning and evaluation of care; inadequate and inappropriate provision for the management of escalating behaviours; a lack of follow-up of complaints, and issues with staff education and competency.

Belhaven promoted themselves as a Rest Home specialising in care of older people with dementia, mental health consumers and consumers suffering from traumatic brain injuries.  

“These people have a high level of need.  Following reassessment of all patients, it was identified that three residents required hospital level care.   Belhaven was not certified, nor equipped, to provide hospital level care.  

There were also issues with the most basic areas of hygiene, cleanliness, food safety and building maintenance.

“In the face of the overwhelming deficiencies with this provider, it would be irresponsible to let them continue to operate, with no practical means of rectifying the breaches and maintaining the health and safety of the residents,” Rose Wall said.

ENDS

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